I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall? The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
closet in the room would look really awkward. Do anyone know where I
could find step-by-step plans for a project like this? The other side
of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room. I
would just need to install a sub-floor.

Thanks in advance,

Nail-in-Thumb

On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:

I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall?

Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on
the other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped
ceiling. Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then
wall it in on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it
so it doesn't look funny in the other room.)


--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...
On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:

I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall?

Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on the
other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped ceiling.
Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then wall it in
on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it so it
doesn't look funny in the other room.)

the other room is the (unfinished?) attic.

that's what a walk-in closet looks like, from the outside. don't forget to
insulate the closet walls.

On Jun 9, 2:55*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:

I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. *I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). *All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall?

Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on
the other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped
ceiling. Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then
wall it in on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it
so it doesn't look funny in the other room.)

--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

re "Do anyone know where I could find step-by-step plans for a project
like this?"

If you were going to frame the closet inside the room, would you still
have asked for plans?

If not, then you shouldn't need step-by-step plans to build the closet
in the attic space.

The only thing I see that might change is that you are going to have
to remove a stud or 2 from the existing wall. As long as it is not a
load bearing wall, just frame out that area for the door, just like
you would have framed it if the door was "in the room" instead of "in
the wall".

If it is a loadbearing wall, then you'll need to add a header. DAGS
"installing a header" and you'll get lots of hits.

Just don't cut into any of the rafters unless you plan as some major
structural work.

Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall? The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
closet in the room would look really awkward. Do anyone know where I
could find step-by-step plans for a project like this? The other side
of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room. I
would just need to install a sub-floor.

Thanks in advance,

Nail-in-Thumb
Clarify, please. You want to convert a 'bonus room' (aka garage attic)
into a bedroom by adding a closet. Got that. What is on the other side
of the wall you plan to cut through? Another finished room? Attic space
behind a knee wall? And how is it a ranch if it has two stories and a
12-12 roof? Or is this a one-story with a garage below? Having trouble
drawing a mental picture here. If it is a knee wall you propose putting
the closet in, probably not a problem unless the knee wall is part of
the load structure for the roof, in which case you will need a header,
which will make for a mighty short closet unless the room is really narrow.

Can you post exterior and interior pictures somewhere, and put a link
back here? A picture is worth several thousand words in cases like this.

--
aem sends...

Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
On Jun 9, 7:50 pm, aemeijers wrote:
Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall? The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
closet in the room would look really awkward. Do anyone know where I
could find step-by-step plans for a project like this? The other side
of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room. I
would just need to install a sub-floor.
Thanks in advance,
Nail-in-Thumb
Clarify, please. You want to convert a 'bonus room' (aka garage attic)
into a bedroom by adding a closet. Got that. What is on the other side
of the wall you plan to cut through? Another finished room? Attic space
behind a knee wall? And how is it a ranch if it has two stories and a
12-12 roof? Or is this a one-story with a garage below? Having trouble
drawing a mental picture here. If it is a knee wall you propose putting
the closet in, probably not a problem unless the knee wall is part of
the load structure for the roof, in which case you will need a header,
which will make for a mighty short closet unless the room is really
narrow.

Can you post exterior and interior pictures somewhere, and put a link
back here? A picture is worth several thousand words in cases like this.

--
aem sends...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for your reply...Sorry for taking so long. I had to find a
better camera. Yes, the ranch is one story, but the room is directly
above the garage. Directly behind the wall in this particular room is
attic space. It seem that I have one support beam behind the wall,
which might be a problem. I know it's possible to construct a closet
because a house down the street (same floor plan) was bought,
remodeled, and then immediately sold. Since my wife is a real estate
agent, I was able to see the house and noticed the addition of the
closet. Unfortunately, I didn't get into the attic to see how it was
done. Would it be possible to somehow maintain support to that beam
and cut out a portion of the plywood so that their will be enough
place to add the closet? Since I only need around 30 inches or so, I
don't think it will be a major problem. I was thinking that I could
somehow brace the beam to the floor instead of the base of the wall.
Hopefully, the pictures will help.

Thanks again in advance ,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39429725@N05/3626202348/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39429725@N05/3626204794/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39429725@N05/3625432719/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39429725@N05/3626247170/



Okay, that helps. Took a little staring at the pictures, but I think I
understand now- the 'bonus room' is sort of in a dormer above the
garage, with a stairwell leading up to it, right off the garage door to
the kitchen? Those ducts in the pictures run parallel to the stairwell
wall? Is the wall you highlighted the only wall where a closet would work?

The wall at right angles to stairwell does not appear to be a load
bearing wall. However, the horizontal 2x4 looks like a collar tie. You
do not want to remove or cut that without adding something else to do
what it does, first. Another tie higher up, plus a plywood gusset on the
truss up high, would probably work. You also do not want to cut the
truss visible in the foreground of the picture. Rather than a normal
closet, I would go for a old-style built-in cabinet there. Starting
maybe a foot above floor level, make an opening in the wall cutting
through the second stud over from the corner, and frame it in like a
window rough opening. Invent something to take the sideways load of the
collar tie before you cut it out. Build a plywood box to go in the
opening. To get it to go as deep as possible, you will have to slope the
back bottom edge of the box. If you have ever seen a china cabinet
tucked into the dead space above a basement stairwell, that is basically
what I am talking about. Don't forget to insulate the outside of the
box, or it will be an oven in there in summer, and a freezer in winter.
A surface-mounted cabinet style door or double door over the front will
give more space than a typical closet door. Cabinets like this were
quite common in cape cods and finished attics from the 1800s through the
1960s. Most were not high enough to put a hanging rod in them, but it
looks like you have barely enough height for that. For more storage, you
could do narrow plywood boxes as cubbies in the stairwell wall, above
the level of the attic floor.

Standard disclaimer- I am not an engineer, and I have not done a site
survey of your house. Consider this advice worth what you paid for it.
If you are nervous about cutting away portions of your roof structure,
consult a local remodeler. Or go knock on the door of the 'twin' house
you mentioned, and ask if you can take photos and measurements in their
attic. (I'm serious- most homeowners, once they understand the situation
and are convinced you are not a wacko, don't mind sharing.)

--
aem sends...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39429725@N05/3626247170/

While looking at your pics. I see a portion of the ceiling (floor of the
attic) trusses peeking up thru the insulation. Hopefully its just pushed
aside by "traffic" and is actually/properly at least 10" thick. Also, I see
some exterior wall sheathing plywood where the insulation has been pulled
aside. You should consider fixing that while yer "in there".

I can't say much for the A/C "flexduct" guys installation ...Duck taped to
the studs etc.. What crap !